Careers

Careers Support

At Sir William Ramsay School we aim to prepare our students to be able to make informed decisions about their future options to go onto meaningful placements in education, apprenticeships or skilled employment. Preparing them for the world of work is an integral part of the work that we do.

While qualifications are very important, they are no longer the only consideration. We have recognised that employability, work-readiness and professional communication skills are becoming more important when employers are looking to fill vacancies. We aim to support students to ensure they are informed and able to develop these skills and attributes to help and support them in readiness for the workplace or place of study by:

hosting an annual careers fair

providing individual careers advice and guidance for students

offering guidance regarding different career pathways, including information on Apprenticeships and the new T-Levels

arranging talks from organisations and business professionals

helping students to write effective curriculum vitae and personal statements

Work experience is a compulsory part of Sixth Form which enables all Year 12 students to gain experience within their own career choice and pathway.

We will guide and prepare students to develop the skills and knowledge they have learnt at school and how they can take these skills into the world of work.

Careers Guidance and Advice

At Sir William Ramsay School we are keen to encourage our students to research the careers and opportunities that are available to them so that they can set themselves targets to achieve their full potential.

There are many resources available that provide information, but we have signposted some websites below that are good places to start:

From apprenticeships to debt-free education, there are numerous other opportunities out there. The Not Going to Uni team are there to help students find apprenticeships, college courses or work experience to start building their pathway towards their future: http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/

When students think about their future options, it is important that they consider their skills and knowledge, which careers interest them and also the job availability in that sector. Visit Moving On to compare average earnings, working hours and predicted job openings.

Sixth Form Work Experience

Preparation for university, further education and employment is an integral part of the Sixth Form programme at Sir William Ramsay School. Employability or work-readiness is becoming more and more important to universities and employers. While qualifications remain essential, with very few exceptions, they are no longer the only consideration. By gaining work experience in relevant sectors our students can gain a real advantage when applying for university or work. While on work experience students will be able to talk with and observe skilled professionals who can give them a better idea of what their job involves. It is an opportunity to network and find contacts, potentially with a view to future employment.

All students are expected to select places of interest and engage in their own work experience. Taking a personal responsibility for finding the placement and researching their further education and career pathways is an important and valuable part of the process. We will support and provide inspiration, and no doubt you as parents will do the same; we do expect students to actively participate in selecting a placement of interest to them as they will learn a great deal from the experience. We are linked to Buckinghamshire Learning Trust that will help students to find links and places of interest locally to take part in weekly work experience. This is a compulsory part of students’ Sixth Form experiences, as we believe that attending regular work experience will be an advantage when applying for university, further education or employment.

Apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a job with training which will allow you to earn while you learn, whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships take between one and five years to complete and are available in 1,500 occupations across 170 industries varying from construction to manufacturing to IT and the creative and digital sectors.

Apprenticeship levels

Name

Level equivalent

Education level

Intermediates

2

5 GCSE passes at grade A to C

Advanced

3

2 A level passes

Higher

4,5,6 and 7

Foundation degree and above

Degree

6 and 7

Bachelors or Masters degree

All apprenticeships will include elements of on the job and off the job training leading to industry recognised standards or qualifications. Some apprenticeship will require an assessment at the end of the programme to assess the apprentice’s ability and competence in their job role.

Benefits of doing an apprenticeship

Earn a salary.

Training in skills employers want.

Excellent progression opportunities to support further study to climb the careers ladder.

Increased future earning potential.

Apprentices enjoy marked salary increases when they complete their training, and those completing higher apprenticeship could see increased earning of an estimated £150,000 over a lifetime.

Learning at a pace suited to the individual with support from a mentor.

Paid holiday.

Entry requirements

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England. There are different entry requirements depending on the sector, job and level of the apprenticeship.

Salaries

The minimum wage for apprentices is £3.50 per hour, but many employers pay more than this, depending on the sector, region and apprenticeship level. For example some higher apprenticeships can pay as much as £300-£500 per week. More details on salaries and entry criteria in specific apprenticeship occupations can be assessed by looking at the vacancies on ‘find an apprenticeship ‘ at the following website: Https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Applying for an apprenticeship

At any one time there are up to 28,000 apprenticeship vacancies available on the ‘find an apprenticeship ‘site in a variety of careers and industries across England. Visit gov.uk and search ‘find an apprenticeship ‘. You can search by keyword (job role, occupations or apprenticeship level) and by location. Once the right job comes up, you can register on the website and follow the step by step instructions to apply for the role. The ‘how to apply’ film has useful tips on applying. To see this and other films on apprenticeships visit You Tube and search apprenticeships:

You could try a traineeship with a local employer to gain valuable work experience and the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, if needed. Visit gov.uk and search ‘traineeships ‘for more information or to apply for traineeship opportunities. https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship

Employers

Are you an employer looking to work with a school? We are keen to work with employers who can pass on the benefits of their skills, experience and expertise. Our careers events require volunteers for a variety of roles, from session facilitators to speakers, interviews and stall holders at our careers fair.

If you would like to find out more, or to volunteer for an event please contact: Ms A Hall, careers leader: ahall@swr.school or on 01494 815 211.

We spend an average of 40 years plus working. Imagine what it must be like to spend that time doing something you dislike. Researching what your options are and what career routes are available will help you make a well informed study and career choices.